Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn What It Takes to Deliver and Excel

July 1, 2025

On June 24, 2025, interns in the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange Program came together virtually for the third session of the summer, an energizing and highly practical experience titled “Foundation for Professional Excellence.”


The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm touted for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Nina Batson, former FWA President, introduced the session presenter Brian Marks, Partner since 2010, Head of Performance, and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors.


Brian delivered an interactive, high-impact session designed to give interns tangible tools they can immediately apply in their internships and long after. His guidance included:


Five Credibility Killers, including two critical missteps:

  • Handing your boss a problem without offering a solution
  • Saying, “That’s not my job”


Five Credibility Builders, including:

  • Taking initiative by asking, “What would take this to the next level?”
  • Applying feedback immediately and visibly to show responsiveness


He also introduced interns to a Strategic Action Matrix, a 4-box framework that maps strategy vs. execution, encouraging interns to assess where they currently fall. He encouraged them to strive toward the high-performance quadrant where strategic thinking meets strong execution.


Brian challenged interns to step outside their comfort zones, just 4% beyond, to stimulate growth, even when facing fear, mental roadblocks, or a lack of confidence. His advice? Take small, consistent actions that stretch your limits and develop resilience.


One of the session’s most resonant takeaways was the reminder to “land the plane.” In other words, your work isn’t done until you’ve evaluated the success of a project and reflected on what worked and what didn’t.


Interns had the chance to ask questions throughout, and Brian’s thoughtful, actionable responses helped them better understand how to own their effectiveness, work through ambiguity, and build reputation capital within their organizations.


A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing in the next generation of finance professionals.


The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

Hermina “Nina” Batson: Fearless Leadership and a Lasting Legacy in Mentorship

October 2, 2025
What happens when a setback sparks a calling? For Hermina “Nina” Batson, walking away from electrical engineering wasn’t the end of her high school dream; it was the start of a fearless career in financial services—one built on integrity, courage, resilience, fortitude, determination, and a strong commitment to giving back. The daughter of Panamanian parents, Nina grew up on Long Island. At Hofstra University, she took steps to create opportunities for every student to feel included and have the chance to succeed. “Every student must have the opportunity to be successful, even if they don’t know how,” she says, a belief that continues to guide her. Long before Nina became a corporate leader, she taught financial literacy to underserved individuals in the communities she served, helping them understand the basics of money management and find pathways to independence. Mentoring, in one form or another, has always been part of her story.

New Report Calls for Systemic Change in Finance Workplaces - Driving Effectiveness, Innovation, and Profitability

September 4, 2025
The Financial Women’s Association (FWA) announces the release of a new white paper, The Post-Pandemic Return Among Women in Finance , authored by cultural anthropologist Dr. Melissa Suzanne Fisher. Commissioned by the FWA, the report examines how return-to-office policies and shifting workplace norms continue to shape careers in the financial services industry and outlines practical steps firms can take to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces. Based on pandemic and post-pandemic research, the report offers an analysis of challenges that remain highly relevant today: balancing work and family responsibilities, supporting employee well-being, and dismantling systemic barriers that hinder career success. Drawing on interdisciplinary social sciences and firsthand accounts, the report highlights persistent cultural and structural barriers that limit progress across the industry. The report highlights that while the pandemic's remote work experiments offered employees new ways to balance work and personal life, the push for a full-time return to the office threatens this progress. Key recommendations highlighted in the report include: Responsibility of caregiving and work/life balance should be shared across the organization, rather than leaving individuals to manage these challenges alone. Firms should focus on addressing bias and discrimination embedded in their systems, not just changing individual attitudes. New models of mentoring and support are needed to reflect evolving work environments (such as hybrid work) and changing employee needs. Dr. Fisher, author of Wall Street Women , and a faculty member at Parsons School of Design, as well as a Senior Advisor at CFAR Consulting and Coaching Services, argues that supporting employees in balancing work, family, and personal needs is not only the right thing to do - it also drives innovation, effectiveness, and long-term profitability. The Financial Women’s Association has championed the advancement of women across the financial industry for nearly 70 years. This report adds to that tradition by offering actionable strategies firms can adopt to create more welcoming, supportive, and equitable workplaces so all employees can thrive. 

Member2Member Applications Open - Apply for Mentorship Today

September 2, 2025
The FWA Member2Member mentoring program helps advance the FWA mission of accelerating leadership and success of women in the financial community. The program pairs experienced FWA members with those eager to build leadership skills and advance their careers. We're pleased to announce that the next cohort of the Member2Member program will run from November 2025 through April 2026. Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is Monday, October 6, 2025 .* Our goal is to create meaningful mentor and mentee partnerships where pairs work together to identify strengths, uncover opportunities, and empower the mentee. We also encourage networking and reverse mentoring among members of the cohort. Interested in participating? Learn more here! *The Member2Member program is only open to FWA members. Not currently a member? Join or renew today!

Stories From School: Moments that Matter

August 21, 2025
Last night, FWA board member Katrin Dambrot hosted Stories from School , an evening of connection and community in support of the FWA Mentorship and Scholarship Program at Seton Hall University . The theme of the evening was moments that matter. Guests shared personal accounts of mentors and experiences that shaped their college years and early careers—powerful reminders of how guidance and opportunity can change lives. Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve raised $17,000 toward our $25,000 goal! To help us continue supporting the next generation of leaders, make a gift here .
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